TWIST just finished chatting with Meagan Tandy, who plays Lulu Pope on ABC Family's Jane by Design! Meagan was super excited to dish with us about what will happen with Nick and Lulu on the new season of the show, how she overcame school drama, and what cute celeb she would love to star with in a romantic movie! Check out our exclusive interview below and make sure to catch Meagan Tandy in the season premiere of Jane by Design, June 5th at 9 P.M. on ABC Family!
XOXO,
TWIST
TWIST: The Season One finale of Jane by Design was crazy! Any details on where the show is going to pick up this June?
Meagan Tandy: Well I know for a fact that things are going to start to shake up a little bit between Nick and Lulu because they basically just cheated on their significant others. It changes the status in the high school world and forces them to deal with certain situations. As far as Billy and Jane, they're also going to get a shake up too because there are some new characters that are going to be coming into play that are going to test their friendship!
T: What is it like play a mean character on the show?
MT: It's actually really fun because it's my complete opposite! That's one of the things that I love about acting. It's allowed me to just explore different worlds that are not my own. It's fun to just play pretend for a little bit. I would probably say that the most difficult thing about it would just be the reaction from some of the other teenagers. People that have watched the show, sometimes they'll say, 'We hate Lulu! She's so mean! Why is she so mean?' and that was probably the most difficult thing because I was like 'Wait a minute. I'm really nice in real life!' I had to remind myself that that was acting. It's not really that difficult to tap into the character because it's just pretend.
T: Have you ever had to deal with any bullies at school?
MT: I can remember one time when I was in middle school and this group of girls did not like me for any particular reason other than the fact that I was just being myself. The main girl was a big eighth grader and she wanted to beat me up! It was really scary! I remember having to tell my parents. My parents had to get involved. Her parents got involved. It was really crazy! But honestly, I thank God I went to the parents. Had it not been for that, I probably would have gotten beat up.
T: What advice would you give to our readers on how to deal with bullies?
MT: Just talk to your parents! You have to go to an adult because sometimes handling a situation like that where you are being bullied, or [where] people are talking about you or picking on you, it's really difficult to handle on your own. If you can just tell an adult, tell a teacher, or tell a mentor, just anybody to get some help. That will definitely help you out.
T: Have you ever had stressful experiences with school and relationships?
MT: There was this one particular gentleman that I wanted to be with. I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I want him to be my boyfriend. He's amazing!' but he also likes another girl! He didn't fully commit to me first because he was still attached to her. I felt like we were in a contest. We were competing for his love. I ended up winning the guy and he ended up being with me [but] it didn't work out. It was frustrating because his particular girl would just do things I would never do! She would send him certain text messages and pictures. She was really trying to win him over. It was nuts. I should have just said, 'You know what dude? Forget you!'
T: What advice would you give to girls who dealing with relationship drama?
MT: If they could somehow not let the guy make them feel that they are not good enough to the point that they have to change themselves! The guys in high school are so consistent. They make the girls work for them, work for their love, and work for their attention. It should totally be the other way around! If it's not, just do what I did. I did not change who I was when I was "competing" for this guy. That girl was sending pictures and messages and I did none of those things. Be yourself and don't change for that other individual.
T: How did you deal with stress from all your schoolwork and being on the cheerleading team?
MT: I was the co-captain and then my senior year I became the pep commissioner. That has its own schedule which is ridiculous! It definitely was difficult, but being on the team forces you to focus on your academics because if you don't maintain a certain G.P.A., you are kicked off the squad. I always had to make sure that I prioritized my time. I had to sit down and make a schedule and say 'This is when I'm going to be working on cheerleading stuff and this is when I'm going to be working on my homework.' If you figure out a way to categorize it and what's more important, what can wait, what needs to be done right now, you'll eventually end up getting it all done!
T: What do you do for fun with your co-stars from the show?
MT: The few times that we have, we will just get together at someone's house. We all got together and watched the premiere when it first aired and we all got together and watched the season finale and we all ended up going out afterwards. No Disneyland trips, which is what I really wanted to do! I just went a few weeks ago but it would have been so awesome to go with the cast!
T: What did you do for fun at Disneyland?
MT: Oh goodness! I just loved getting on all the rides! My favorite ride is the Indiana Jones [ride]! I liked eating at this amazing Mexican restaurant. It was so good! I was fun because now being on the show has definitely given me exposure. There's definitely a lot of teenagers that are like 'Hey Lulu! Aren't you Lulu from Jane by Design?' That was probably one of the highlights of Disneyland. It was just walking around and people wanted to meet me! It was actually cool!
T: Awesome! If you could work with any actor or actress right now, who would you choose and why?
MT: It's a little cliché! Ryan Gosling because I think he's amazingly good looking and of course he's very talented. I would have no problem meeting him and maybe having a kissing scene in a movie! I think he's amazing. I would love to meet him one day!
T: Any embarrassing moments?
MT: Literally, there's pretty much not really a day that I go on set that I'm not laughing about something because someone made a joke. I remember they would tease me because I'm wearing miniskirts [in] every single episode! I think one time I was sitting down [and] these [miniskirts] are barely covering my butt. I think it got caught in my underwear and when I stood up, everyone in trailer saw my butt and I didn't even know it for a whole second! I didn't even feel a breeze or anything. I think it was the hairstylist, she was like, 'Your butt is hanging out,' so I had to adjust. This is why I don't wear miniskirts!
T: Haha! Thanks for speaking with TWIST, Meagan!
MT: Thank you, TWIST!
Photo Credit: Courtesy of ABC Family